Global Agents Visit Launch Pad
On Dec 7 2022, we had a diverse contingent of Global Agents visiting Launch Pad as part of their tour to the Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub (PEIH). These agents via our Global Mobility unit are responsible for 90% of international student recruitment.
This visit was a great opportunity for us to showcase the suite of programs offered by Launch Pad that may be of interest to the international student market.
Abbey Grover – our Manager, Launch Pad Operations and Programs – kicked off with a warm welcome to the space.
She shared information about Launch Pad’s current global footprint, along with a number of initiatives and programs established and in development to support collaborations with our partner institutions, the more recent of which is a global exchange program with Kansai University of International Studies (KUISs), Japan. This also extends to other universities in Canada, the UK, and India.
The global agents then heard from Jamie Pride, Chief Entrepreneur in Residence, who is the main driver behind all things accelerator programs and supporting startups at Launch Pad.
Jamie explained how accelerator programs are delivered via a structured and guided process providing a range of supports designed to enable participants to demonstrate their value proposition, develop innovative business models, access capital, set up their operations and launch and scale their business locally and, or, in overseas markets.
Jamie also explained how the team at Launch Pad is building a holistic innovation and entrepreneurship support ecosystem, where startup acceleration is just one part of it.
Dr Lynn Berry, Launch Pad’s Manager, Entrepreneurship Training and Development, was also invited to speak about entrepreneurial curriculum here at Western Sydney University.
Joining Venture Makers, students get to immerse themselves in an interdisciplinary team-based problem-solving experience from innovation challenges, or hands-on entrepreneurial practice from short courses/units in an ‘incubator’ environment.
Dr Lynn’s session was followed by Quinn Do’s personal story as a Vietnamese international student.
‘Western Sydney University really cares about their students, especially regarding employability. There are lots of jobs-on-campus opportunities available for students to work while they study,’ Quinn listed one of her reasons for choosing Western.
‘I myself started as a student marketing assistant. This previous role’s experience has given me the capacity to apply and be appointed as a full-time staff member of the Launch Pad team,’ she added.
The visit ended with an interactive Q&A session, where more information on how Launch Pad can support international students and partner institutions was shared.
It was great to see growing interest in the innovation and entrepreneurship space. Launch Pad hopes to welcome new students and other community members to our vibrant community!